Charges dismissed against New London City Council candidate

New London — A Superior Court judge dismissed a disorderly conduct charge Monday against Erica L. Richardson, a Democratic City Council candidate.

Richardson, 42, of 295 Jefferson Ave., said she had called police Aug. 25 when her son’s father, Myles Houston of Miami, Fla., refused to leave during a visit with the child. She said Houston has been estranged from her and her son for years.

“I decided enough was enough and his visit needed to end and he needed to leave,” she said on Monday. “So I called the police. I was issued a summons and he was taken away.”

Houston also was charged with disorderly conduct, according to court records. His case is pending, and he is due in court Oct. 24.

Richardson, who has no criminal record, said the court’s Family Relations staff had recommended that the case be “nolled,” or not prosecuted, but that she wanted a full dismissal. She said she went before Judge Hillary B. Strackbein, who granted the dismissal.

“I’ve always had positive interactions with the police, so I want to keep it that way,” said Richardson, who serves on the New London Police Community Relations Committee. “I’m glad it worked out this way.”